I’m thrilled to joining the team of bloggers for the APTA Health Policy & Administration Technology Special Interest Group. Today, I published my first post on the APTA Tech SIG’s blog – the first in a series I’ll be writing about Twitter in society and health care. Here’s an excerpt: “There is no doubt that…
W-sitting: problem or solution?
When a child w-sits he spreads his hips with his bottom on the floor, his knees bent, and his feet behind him, making a “W” shape with his legs. I’m going to come right out and say it. I’m a pediatric physical therapist, and I think W-sitting is OK. Like most physical therapists, I…
On walking (and why you won’t see a physical therapist’s kid using a baby walker)
As my youngest son is just starting to stand on his own, cruise along the coffee table, and walk with a push toy on his own, I have been reminded once again how amazing and significant learning to walk really is. As a physical therapist, one of the most common questions parents ask me is,…
APTA House of Delegates kicks off the 2013 session
The APTA House of Delegates kicked off its 2013 session tonight in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tonight’s House activities consisted primarily of introductory remarks, elections, and some logistical/procedural items to get us ready to dig into House business first thing tomorrow morning. Here’s a quick recap and a few things you need to know: All…
House of Delegates 2.0
Introduction to 2013 Motions by Speaker of the House Shawne E. Soper (from http://www.apta.org/HOD/2013/) In one month, the APTA House of Delegates will convene for its 2013 session. During last year’s session (my first), social media played a role for the very first time. The House discussed and ultimately adopted what began as RC 23-12 and…
Meet Ray
This morning, I met Ray. Not in person, but through the beautiful network that is social media. His story was posted by a pediatric physical therapy colleague, and was so moving for me that I wanted to share it here. Ray’s video tells the story of a child who – like all children – wants…
@Twitter in #PTedu
I’ve got Twitter on the brain. Today I’ve been putting the finishing touches on a manuscript describing research I did using Twitter in my Professional Interactions course last year. And I’m gearing up to start a new Twitter project with the same group of students when they go out on their clinical internships starting Monday. I am…
What do babies do in the first year? A lot!
During the spring semester, I get to introduce second-year DPT students to “normal” motor development as part of their Control of Human Movement course. I created this 5-minute video (starring my three boys: Max, Charlie, and Bobby) for my students as a quick review of motor milestones in the first year. As I note in…
Swaddling your newborn
Created using The Keep Calm-o-matic: https://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-swaddle-on-3/ As many new parents will tell you, swaddling can mean the difference between a happy, rested baby and cranky, sleepless nights. In fact, one of my favorite parenting books – The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp – lists swaddling as one of the “5 S’s” to…
Primitive reflexes (or, cool party tricks you can do with your newborn)
I’ve taken a several-month hiatus from blogging, but with good reason. In December, I welcomed this little guy to my family. Look at those cheeks! The fatigue of late pregnancy and the early newborn weeks – combined with a busy work schedule, my two older boys and husband, and a host of other “real-life” obligations…